Ralph Hauze

KNOXVILLE — Ralph Clinton Hauze passed over to glory while sleeping peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. He was 97 years old and a resident of Knoxville, Tenn. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Winifred Elizabeth Raub Hauze and Clinton Ralph Hauze; the love of his life, wife of 67 years, Dorothy Joyce Rogers Hauze; his daughter, Susan Hauze Marshall (Jeff), and his infant son, John. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Betsy Hauze Davis (Steve), of Flat Rock, Ala.; his son, Ralph Hauze II, of Knoxville, Tenn.; and son-in-law, Jeff Marshall, of Bradenton, Fla. He is blessed by grandchildren including Shelly Davis Grant (Chad), of Bryant, Ala., Chris Davis (Christy), of Flat Rock, Ala., Brooke Davis Smith (Brian) of Flat Rock, Ala., Jeff Marshall (Jamey), of San Francisco, Calif., and Jennifer Marshall Micchio (Mark), of Roseville, Calif. Ralph is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren that he adored. Ralph served in the Army during WW2, and was extremely proud of being part of "The Greatest Generation." He went to college at Muhlenberg in Allentown, Pa., where he used his gift of playing the piano to make money to put him through college. Ralph always said that his most requested song was "My Blue Heaven." He knew thousands of songs by heart, and if he didn't know it, he could learn it. He graduated with a degree in chemistry, and later returned there to teach. He retired at Atlas Chemical Industries after 40 plus years of service. His jobs took his family back and forth from Pennsylvania to Tennessee, but he always had a soft spot in his heart for Chattanooga. Ralph was a member of New Hope Presbyterian Church, and later served as an elder and music director. Ralph loved traveling, especially to places with sun and sand, and spending time with family, including his cousins who he thought of as brothers and sisters. Ralph also enjoyed celebrating the holidays, and never just let them pass by without having the family together. In later years, he also had caregivers that turned into great friendships, as they loved him like his family did. Ralph was a rare jewel, and was loved by everyone he met. In his 97 years of life he faced many heartaches, but still saw this life as a gift always offering a witty remark and a smile. He was a son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, pianist, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 3rd, 2018, at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tenn., at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.